What Is an Acupuncture Point?

Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years, yet its fascinating concepts continue to intrigue both newcomers and seasoned practitioners. One of the foundational ideas in acupuncture is the acupuncture point, a term that holds the key to understanding this ancient healing art. But what exactly is an acupuncture point, and why is it so significant? Let’s dive into this cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

The Basics: What Is an Acupuncture Point?

An acupuncture point, is a specific location on the body where an acupuncturist inserts thin needles to stimulate healing. These points are found along meridians, which are invisible pathways believed to carry qi (pronounced "chee"), or vital energy, throughout the body.

According to TCM, the flow of qi along these meridians keeps the body balanced and healthy. When the flow is disrupted—due to stress, injury, or illness—pain or disease may occur. Stimulating acupuncture points helps restore the smooth flow of qi, promoting balance and wellness.

The Science Behind Acupuncture Points

While the concept of qi and meridians comes from TCM, modern science has also studied acupuncture points. Research suggests that acupuncture points may correspond to areas of the body rich in:

• Nerve endings: These points often lie where nerves are densely clustered.

• Fascia: Connective tissue that may transmit the effects of acupuncture stimulation.

• Microcirculation: Areas with higher concentrations of blood vessels.

Studies have shown that stimulating these points can activate the nervous system, release endorphins, and modulate pain signals, offering a biological explanation for acupuncture's effectiveness.

How Are Acupuncture Points Found?

Acupuncture points are not random. There are over 360 recognized points on the body, each with a specific location and therapeutic function. Practitioners locate these points using anatomical landmarks, such as bones, muscles, and creases in the skin. Some points are well-known for their versatility, such as:

• LI4 (Hegu): Found between the thumb and index finger, often used for headaches and stress relief.

• ST36 (Zusanli): Located below the knee, used for boosting energy and digestion.

• SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Found on the lower leg, often used for hormonal and digestive health.

What Happens When an Acupuncture Point Is Stimulated?

When a needle is inserted into an acupuncture point, several things may occur:

1. Qi Activation: In TCM terms, the needle helps balance qi flow.

2. Nervous System Stimulation: Needling may trigger a response in the central or peripheral nervous system, reducing pain or inflammation.

3. Hormonal Effects: Acupuncture has been shown to influence the release of hormones like serotonin, which affects mood, and cortisol, which regulates stress.

Patients often report sensations like warmth, tingling, or a dull ache at the point, which TCM practitioners interpret as the activation of qi.

Types of Acupuncture Points

Not all acupuncture points are the same. They can be classified based on their function or location:

• Local Points: Found near the site of pain or dysfunction. For example, treating shoulder pain might involve local points on the shoulder.

• Distal Points: Located far from the site of discomfort, often on the hands, feet, or ears. These points are used to treat systemic conditions or internal imbalances.

• Special Points: Certain points, like source points or trigger points, have unique properties and functions.

Why Are Acupuncture Points Important?

Acupuncture points are the foundation of the entire practice of acupuncture. Without them, practitioners couldn’t:

• Diagnose imbalances in the body.

• Customize treatments for individual needs.

• Harness the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

By targeting these precise locations, acupuncture provides a holistic approach to health, addressing not just symptoms but the underlying causes of imbalance.

Final Thoughts

Acupuncture points are more than just spots on the body—they are gateways to restoring harmony and balance. Whether you're seeking relief from pain, stress, or chronic conditions, understanding the role of acupuncture points can deepen your appreciation for this ancient and powerful healing modality.

If you’re curious about how acupuncture can benefit you, consider scheduling a session at Zen Den. You might be amazed at how a few well-placed needles can transform your health and well-being!

Immune Support | Three Ways to Boost Your Immune System

With cold and flu season just around the corner, I am urging my patients to take a proactive approach to support their immune function as we head into the sniffle season. In Chinese Medicine, our immune system is called “wei qi”, a protective energy that protects our body from exterior pathogens.  The beauty of Chinese Medicine is that our wei qi is an energy that we can strengthen with proper lifestyle, diet and supplementation.  While stress, poor diet, sleep and exercise are all great places to start when it comes to improving our immune function, here are a couple supplements I’ll be keeping close on hand in my household. 

Here’s a road map of some supplements to take at different stages of illness:

Prevention Support: The best approach to illness is prevention! This combo is my go-to when traveling or I am seeing an influx of sick people around me.

• Vitamin D: Studies have revealed that vitamin D helps modulate the immune system, acting as a regulator to maintain a balanced response and enhance its effectiveness in fighting off infections.  What may be more alarming is that studies show that 42% of americans are deficient in vitamin D.

Good sources of Vitamin D include:

• Fatty Fish:  The flesh of fatty fish trout, salmon, tuna, mackerel and fish liver oils

• Sunlight

If you aren’t regularly consuming fatty fish three times a week:

• Zinc

• Glutathione: the powerhouse of antioxidants. Glutathione utilizes two mechanisms to strengthen your immune system.  It increases your white blood cell count by increasing their number. Altered glutathione concentrations may play an important role decreasing inflammation and cancer causing oxidative stress in the body. It gives life to the cells that keep you healthy.

Circumstances that deplete glutathione in the body include:

•  Smoking

• Alcohol

• Chronic acetaminophen use

• Excess fat in the body

• B vitamins

Acute Support: These supplements are recommended at the first onset of illness.  These symptoms usually include: itchy throat, fatigue, feeling foggy headed or chills.

• Yin Qiao- one of the most popular chinese medicine to fight off an illness and boost your body’s immune function. Yin Qiao San is available for purchase at an Acupuncturist Office and some Health Food stores.  It’s a great formula to have in your medicine cabinet.

• Sweat it out. A natural way to combat illness is to help your body generate some heat.  Utilizing a hot sauna, gentile hot yoga class or simply bundling up will support your body’s immune function. Similar to a fever, generating enough heat in the body can create a hostile environment for the pathogen.  

Congee: A tried and true tonic 

Congee is a medicinal rice porridge often referred to as a magical healing soup.  This soup has healing properties as well a soothing effect on the soul, much like your mom’s chicken noodle soup. The soup is rice based, making it very easy for the gut to digest and liquid base, to keep the body hydrated. Immune tonic herbs are typically added to the soup to make it a medicinal delicacy.

Dr. Michelle’s Magic Immune Boosting Congee

• 1 oz of astragulus root

• 8 chinese dates

• 2 tbsp Goji berries

• 1-2 tbsp goji berries

• 1-2 tbsp fresh minced ginger

• 4 pieces of tangerine peel

• 1 cup of white rice

• 6-8 cups of water depending on desired thickness.

• Dash of cinnamon

• Dash of cardamom

• Raw honey (optional)

• Asian pear or other pear of choice

Cooking directions:

1. Rinse the rice well

2. Place first 7 ingredients in a large pot bring to a boil and then simmer, covered for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally to make sure it isn’t sticking.  The congee is ready when the rice is soft and isn’t sticking.  The consistency should be like a porridge.

Summer Solstice and Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine the Summer Solstice represents the peak of yang energy. Yang is associated with warmth, activity, and outward expression. Summer solstice is a time of abundance and growth in nature, reflecting the expansive qualities of yang energy. In treating patients this last week I could feel an energetic shift in the collective. There was a lightness in spirit, an outward expansiveness and energy and just a little more pep in our steps.  Wonderful to witness and a bit contagious!

While there are many positive traits associated with the summer season, each season offers unique opportunities and challenges for maintaining health. Summer, ruled by the fire element and yang energy, encourages us to embrace vitality, joy, and social connection. However, excessive heat can also lead to imbalances such as dehydration, irritability, heatstroke or social burnout. Chinese medicine is unique in that it often takes a non-direct approach to address disharmony.  For example, if you were showing an excess of yang: burnout, inflammation, and heat in your system, the logical approach would seem to be adding cooling herbs, oils and acupuncture points into your regime - but Chinese medicine doesn't like to make things that simple for us! Instead of sedating the symptoms that are presenting themselves, we take a look at tonifying the balancing energy which has a negative feedback loop to keep it in check.

Balancing these energies require a nourishment of the energetic counterpart to yang, yin.  

Yin qualities—coolness, restfulness, and nourishment—are crucial for maintaining internal harmony amidst external heat. This might involve consuming cooling foods like watermelon and cucumber, staying hydrated with herbal teas, and practicing calming activities such as meditation or gentle exercises like qigong.

I hope this summer is the best one yet!

xoxo

Dr. Michelle

Grief: A TCM Perspective

Grief. It’s a human emotion we can’t seem to escape and it’s part of the messy human experience. How do we move through our losses with grace and how do they affect our health?

Traditional Chinese Medicine takes an interesting perspective on emotions - the theory is that our emotions affect our organs and our unprocessed emotions can make us sick. In a culture where we suppress, numb and do anything to avoid feeling our pain, is it really much of a shock that our mental health is suffering and our physical health isn’t too far behind it?

While we might not have all the answers we hope to shed some light on this topic this month - at the Zen Den we take an integrative approach. When you come in with shoulder pain we may ask, “What does your shoulder want you to know?” or “what would be the worst thing that would happen if you DIDN’T have this physical pain?”. (Example: If I didn’t have this pain I would have to go back to the job I hate, stop receiving help I am afraid to ask for, etc.)

The body speaks to us in a language that it will listen and our job is to help you learn how to listen. Hoping this helps ❤️

Transitioning from Winter to Spring

This year, the lunar new year falls on Saturday, February 10th, with celebrations lasting for up to two weeks (ending with the Lantern Festival on the 24th). Celebrated by more than two billion people worldwide, this is a time for hope and optimism, renewal and rebirth, and the beginning of a new cycle. Traditionally, spring is a crucial time for agriculture in China. It signifies the start of the farming season when farmers prepare their fields for planting. 

The warming temperatures and increased daylight hours provide favorable conditions for crops to grow. It may seem surprising that we consider this date the start of spring when so much of the globe is still feeling the chills of winter (and may continue to do so for some time). It might be more helpful to think of this time as the start of the transition from winter into spring. Plants that were dormant begin awakening with life, and though it might not yet be apparent, they have also begun to grow.

Our bodies are very similar in how they respond to the changing seasons (and climactic factors). As we move into spring, the Wood system awakens in the body, and imbalances of the Wood organs (Gallbladder and Liver) can become exacerbated. This can often manifest as an emotional imbalance ranging from increased irritability, mood swings, frustration, resentment, and even the ability to make decisive choices (and take forward action). Tendon and musculoskeletal issues may come into play because of the Liver’s relationship to the tendons and sinews and the Gallbladder’s governance over the sides of our body, including the head (temples), neck, and shoulders. Eye diseases are also more common since the Liver opens to the eyes as a sense organ and can present as dry eyes, blurry vision, and eye strain. So what are we to do? 

Wood is healthiest when it is supple and has room to grow. In some cases, that means ingesting foods and herbs that can help nourish the Wood and prevent dryness; in other cases, that means helping to remove constraints so that the Wood can grow. And in some cases it’s a matter of controlling Wood so as not to create additional disharmonies with the other elements and systems of the body. Common formulas that may be prescribed during this time are Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavor Rehmannia Pill) to help nourish and tonify, Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) to help regulate and address symptoms of stagnation, or Wen Dan Tang (Warm the Gallbladder Decoction) to harmonize other Wood activities. Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycium Fruit, Chrysanthemum and Rehmannia Pill) might also be prescribed when we see more symptoms directly related to the eye (note: while several of the formulas mentioned are available as over-the-counter products, you should consult with a trained professional before use and only use as directed).

Above are just a few of the formulas that your acupuncturist or herbalist might recommend, but there are also plenty of foods and activities that we can incorporate into our regular routine to help during this transition period (and with the Wood system in general). Seasonal foods are often the best, regardless of the time of year—seasonal and local are even better. 

Leafy greens and vegetables: leafy greens such as spinach, kale, swiss chard, and bok choy are all great for the Wood system and help promote the smooth flow of qi. Dandelion greens, milk thistle, beets, and carrots are likewise good options and provide other nutrients for the body to use.

Sprouts and young greens: sprouts and young greens are believed to have a fresh, invigorating energy that helps revitalize the body and are considered particularly beneficial during the transition from winter to spring.

Lighter proteins: as the weather warms up, it's beneficial to transition from heavier, warming proteins to lighter options. Opt for lean proteins such as fish, poultry, tofu, and legumes, which are easier to digest and less likely to burden the Liver and Gallbladder.

Herbs and spices: certain herbs and spices are believed to have warming and invigorating properties that are beneficial as we transition into spring. Ginger, garlic, scallions, and onions are commonly used to promote circulation and dispel cold from the body.

Fresh fruits: incorporate seasonal fruits such as berries (if applicable), apples, pears, and citrus fruits into your diet.

Sour flavors: sour-flavored foods can help tonify the Liver in East Asian medicine. Foods like lemons, limes, vinegar, pickled vegetables, and to some extent, sourdough bread are considered beneficial for the Wood element and can support the Liver’s function.

It’s important during this time to stay well hydrated. Just like the plants, crops, and trees found in nature, the Wood system inside your body needs ample water to remain healthy. Aside from water, teas or infusions made from herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, peppermint, and chamomile can help support and soothe the Wood system. A favorite, simple recommendation of mine is chrysanthemum tea. Steeped with goji berries and served with a little bit of fat (such as butter on toast at breakfast), these two herbs are a good combination to help nourish the Liver and soothe dry eyes.

Outside of food (herbs included), we can prepare for the transition into spring by becoming slightly more active. Gentle practices such as qigong, tai chi, yoga, stretching, and even walking in nature can help invigorate the body, reduce stagnation, and improve the flow of blood and qi in our body. That said, we still need plenty of rest. Rest and relaxation are essential for any type of growth, physical, mental, or spiritual, and allows our body to the pause we need to rejuvenate and replenish ourselves with energy. Given the Wood element’s association with emotions, practicing emotional awareness and being attentive to emotional needs are crucial at this time. Imbalances of the Liver often manifest in emotions such as anger, frustration, and resentment—more accurately, we look at the smooth flow of emotions when speaking about the Liver, but anger is often what comes up initially when emotions are unable to move freely.

While most of these recommendations can be explored from the comfort of our own home, acupuncture is another great tool East Asian Medicine has that can help you prepare for seasonal transitions (or any type of transition, really). Working with your local practitioner both before and after February 10th can help your body prepare for the upcoming season and get your new year off to the right start.

Embracing Winter: Chinese Medicine Insights for Seasonal Harmony

As winter blankets parts of the world in a serene layer of snow, San Luis Obispo may not experience the extreme weather changes this season can bring, but we can’t escape the energetic changes of the season that can affect our body and spirit with this season.

One of the core principles of Chinese Medicine is that our health and our body’s function is strongly impacted by our environment and seasonal changes. Each season presents us with an opportunity to work with the energy at play, paying special attention to the organs that are impacted the most with each particular season. The ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine provides us with valuable insights on how to navigate this season in harmony with our bodies and the environment. Winter is associated with the Water element in Chinese medicine, and it is a time for rest, reflection, and conservation of energy. In this blog post, we'll explore the principles of Chinese medicine in relation to winter and discover ways to promote well-being during this cold and wet season.

Understanding Winter in Chinese Medicine:

In Chinese medicine, each season is associated with one of the Five Elements and specific organs. Winter is linked to the Water element, which corresponds to the Kidneys and Bladder. The Kidneys are considered the foundation of our vitality and store our essence, often referred to as Jing. Winter is the time to nourish and support the Kidneys, as they play a crucial role in maintaining our overall health.

Key Principles for Winter Wellness:

1. Nourish the Kidneys:

During winter, it is essential to focus on foods that nourish and support the Kidneys. Warm and hearty soups, stews, and slow-cooked meals can provide the necessary warmth and nourishment. Foods like black beans, kidney beans, walnuts, and dark leafy greens are particularly beneficial.

2. Stay Warm:

In Chinese medicine, it is believed that exposure to extreme cold can deplete the Kidney's energy. It is advised to keep the body warm, especially the lower back where the Kidneys are located. Dressing in layers, using warm blankets, and incorporating warming spices like ginger and cinnamon into your diet can help maintain internal warmth.

3. Rest and Rejuvenate:

Winter is a time for rest and rejuvenation. In alignment with the natural rhythm of the season, it's beneficial to get ample sleep and engage in gentle, reflective practices like meditation or Qi Gong. These activities help conserve energy and promote emotional well-being.

4. Hydration:

Even though it's cold outside, staying hydrated is crucial. Warm water and herbal teas, such as chrysanthemum or goji berry tea, can help balance the Water element and support the Kidneys.

5. Balance Activity and Rest:

While winter is a time for more rest, it's also essential to maintain gentle physical activity. Practices like Tai Chi or yoga can help keep the energy flowing without overtaxing the body.

Incorporating the principles of Chinese medicine into our winter routines can lead to a harmonious and balanced season. By nourishing the Kidneys, staying warm, getting adequate rest, and embracing the stillness of winter, we can support our overall well-being. Let's take inspiration from the wisdom of Chinese medicine and allow winter to be a time of introspection, restoration, and the cultivation of inner vitality.

Wishing you and your family the best health this season and many to come,

Dr. Michelle Hamilton

Spring Equinox: Some tips to allow the liver qi to flow!

“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.”

― Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

Spring Equinox: What does it all mean, From a Chinese MEDICINE Perspective

Yep, We are all Connected

One of the perks of seeing the volume of patients I am blessed to work with at the Zen Den is that I get a chance to tune in and observe the collective energy of our community and how it is showing up in each patients unique physiology. Sometimes I feel like an energy forecaster of sorts, instead of tracking storms or changes in air pressure, I’m tracking the current energy trends and tendencies showing up for my patients in their bodies, and lives. If anything it makes me feel less alone, after 13 years of practice there’s not much I haven’t seen that I haven’t experienced myself on some level. After years of noticing these patterns of oneness, you can’t help but acknowledge a sense of feeling like we truly are all in this together. 

Energy: It’s not just Woo-Woo Anymore

Believe in energy or not, sutle energies are always at play, whether they be astrological, seasonal, political or even seasonal.  While no one really knows where these energies originate from, I do know we as humans are very susceptible to them. Our energy or electromagnetic energy can effect our mood, emotions, physical ailments, healing, and even the type of partner we attract I do know we are all unique expressions of very similar energies. Once you start to seeThe patterns in patients aliments and presentations are almost comical at times.  Three shoulder injuries in a row, or five patients back to back that just keep waking up at 3am and are feeling irritable in their relationships. Is that all a fluke or is there something more at bay here.

But First, the Chinese Medicine Stuff

Chinese Medicine has a poetic way of  connecting the human body and physiology to our environment and seasonal flow. Eastern philosophy is based on the premise that all life occurs within the circle of nature, things within this matrix are connected and dependent on each other and defined as the complementary energies of yin and yang. When these energies are in balance, chi and life flourishes, when the balance is upset, disaster looms. Yet with each season being an expression of some kind of imbalance, it’s impossible to remain balanced year round.   This is where I feel we are wrong in our thinking at ultimately achieving balance. The truth of it just doesn’t exist.  As Pema Chodron  says “things come together and they fall apart.”  The goal isn’t necessarily to keep things all together and flowing harmonious, its to have awareness and compassion for ourselves and others when they ultimately fall apart.  As a practitioner as Chinese medicine I never feel like I am fixing a patient. I’m harmonizing them.

Following the flow of seasons and making space for imbalances that more than likely will show up not only prevents disharmony, it can empower you by making space for the transformation that more than likely is on the horizon.

The energy of spring is embodied by the wood element, sprouting, pioneering and change. It’s about cultivating action after a period of gestation (winter). Winter is about contraction, while the Wood energy is about the initial movement after contraction. Organs affected the most during this shift are the Liver and Gallbladder.  Working specifically with these energy channels will aid in a smooth transition to spring and optimum health.  When the liver energy becomes stagnant, we often experience what is commonly called liver qi stagnation: frustration, anger, and irritability are all emotions associated with liver qi stagnation. I know for me they seem to manifest the most early spring: it’s an angsty type energy that leaves me wanting good weather, dry trails to explore and a freedom to work on projects after a long winter. There can be feelings of frustration about life situations, relationships or delays at this time.

Some of the physical symptoms associated with liver qi stagnation include:

• breast pain and tenderness

• side body pain

• abdomen pain

• digestive upset

• irregular menstruation

Somethings you can do to counter balance this energy stagnation is to work on Liver 3 with some essential oil and some acupressure.  Liver 3 is located between the first and second toes on both feet, palpating down from the webbing of the two toes about an inch, you will feel a tender spot, which almost feels like a bruise. 

Simply massaging this point or anointing it with essential oils is enough to shift the energy in the liver.  Some good essential oil choices for this point would be lavender, chamomile or blue tansy.  All of these oils help regulate and encourage a smooth flow of qi.

Exercise is another activity that can help move liver qi.  It doesn’t have to be a crazy complicated cross fit workout, or marathon training, a simple walk is enough.

The other organ associated with this season is the gallbladder. The emotional component of the Gallbladder is courage or will power.  When the gallbladder energy becomes out of balance, we will feel a bit frozen in our path, indecisive  or sometimes even depressed.  Either lack of confidence or discipline will cause these types of emotions.  When these feelings come up it’s important to first accept them, and allow them to just be. Incorporating more discipline in your life is a great way to counterbalance this energy. Through self-parenting we can create the opportune containers of disciple which, ironically leads to flow and freedom.

Other physical symptoms of Gallbladder stagnation include:

Migraines

Nausea

Gallstones

Hip pain

Herbs and supplements to consider during this time would be powdered liver greens or dandelion tea.  Depending on your constitution, the spring is also the one time of the year where raw foods and juices is encouraged.  It’s a great time to do the standards process cleanse, if you’ve been wanting to do it, you can check out my how to video HERE, and pick up your cleanse kit at Zen Den to get started!

These are a few of My Favorite (SPRING) Things

Recommended reading for this season: Pema Chodron When things Fall Apart

Essential Oils to work with: Blue Tansy, Chamomile, Lavender

Acupressure points: Liver 3

Foods: Raw greens, fresh juices, dandelion, chamomile, lemon water in the mornings

Supplements: Powdered liver greens, standard process cleanse

Thank you so much for your continued support in my baby the Zen Den.  We’ve got some exciting things in the works this month: an acupuncture sound bath, a free community/photo shoot event, and the launch of our new lunar acupuncture moon circles. I hope to see you soon!

Big Love,

Dr. Michelle Hamilton

Do your Knees Hurt When the Weather Changes?

“You’re young one day, then one day you wake up and you can feel when the rain is going to come in your knees.”

Feeling weather changes in your knees is a common occurrence…but what does that mean and why does it happen?

Chronic knee pain which worsens when the weather changes is described as “Damp Bi Syndrome” in Traditional Chinese Medicine. “Bi” literally means obstruction and can be caused by one or a combination of an invasion of external wind, cold or dampness. When the body or a joint gets invaded by one of these external pathogenic factors, it causes stagnation to the body’s qi, blood and body fluids, eventually resulting in the accumulation of phlegm, stress, heat or pain in the effected area.

Acupuncture is highly effective at treating this condition; the act of inserting hair thin acupuncture needles into acupuncture points stimulates the qi to move where it has been previously blocked, while decreasing pain and reducing inflammation. Moxabustion or infared heat lamps are also highly beneficial at treating this condition, as they warm the sinews and invigorate the channels.

If you have knee pain that:

• Changes with the weather, such as cold or rain.

• Gets worse with overuse, like long walks or standing for long periods.

• Prevents you from climbing stairs comfortably kneeling in your garden.

• Is an old injury that never really went away…

Try Acupuncture!

For chronic knee pain I recommend coming in once a week for 6-8 weeks, then we can space out treatments a bit, to see if you can go 2-3 weeks or months and still maintain results.

Falling Into a (Pumpkin Flavored) Fall Season

One quick trip through trader Joe’s and you can’t deny that fall is here on the central coast.  Pumpkin Cream Cheese, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes, its pumpkin everything in there! No, the leaves haven’t changed yet, but the flavor of our lattes and cream cheese have changed to the ever alluring “pumpkin flavor”….which in SLO town, means Fall is here! Living in our mild San Luis Obispo climate we don’t find ourselves noticing extreme shifts in weather; but our bodies still go through energetic shifts as the seasons change.  The more aware you can get with these seasonal energetic changes in your environment and in your body, the greater the potential for you to harness the wisdom the season can provide.

The energy of the fall season is the Metal Element. The metal element correlates to the Lungs and Large Intestine organs.  At this time of year it’s a season and a time for colds and flus. The kids go back to school and come home with not only a new teacher and new friends, but also a whole new set of pathogens.  After the skin, the Lungs are the first defense system in the body to fight off pathogens in Chinese Medicine. The Large intestine organ in Chinese medicine specifically correlates to the colon.  The shift in weather and climate can also cause digestive disharmony within the body.

The emotional component of the lung is grief.  The lungs store unresolved grief in the body; some physical manifestations of this can include chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and shortness of breath. I have found when processing  grief it’s important to develop a deep sense of gratitude for what has served us in the past, yet is no longer in our present. Let it be a relationship, a home, a job or even a loved one, the path to transforming grief is through gratitude and appreciation for what and how those things served you. 
Respiratory illnesses are heightened this time of year as the weather shifts and we find ourselves susceptible to upper respiratory infections.  I see an abundance of asthma, bronchitis, and coughs walk through my doors this time of year. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs are excellent at building the body’s immune system to support this seasonal transition with ease. Some great essential oils to treat upper respiratory conditions at home include eucalyptus or rosemary.  Applying a drop these oils in carrier oil to the acupuncture point Lung 1 is very beneficial at opening the lungs while also tonifying the immune system.

The emotional aspect of the Large Intestine captures the active/yang side of grief, the ability to “let it go.” It’s about deciphering what needs to stay and what needs to go in order for you to function at you highest potential.  Just as the Large Intestine releases toxic waste from the body, it’s has an emotional energetic capacity to clear out the negative emotions and patterns which no longer serve the highest version of ourselves. Low vibrational emotions such as shame, guilt, anger and fear can be very powerful to release this time of year.  

If you would like to look further into this concept I would highly recommend the book Letting Go by David R. Hawkins.

This book transformed my life; as it fell into my hands as I was processing my divorce and struggling to create a positive new life for my family.  With this book I was able to release a lot of negative emotions, and habits that were holding me back while creating space for new beliefs and thought patterns. A great read for anyone feeling stuck.   

I hope you find yourself healthy and happy this Fall Season with a pumpkin-flavored-something in your near future. ☺